Hello Friends.


I have had a really nice week in regards to my training.

MONDAY-

We started this awesome week off by spending the WHOLE lesson on PATTERRRRRRRNS!
Which for me, was so much fun. Before getting into the lesson we of course started off with a warm up of general running and then the senior students went through a line of different kicks.
I felt really good and my energy was WAY up! 
Then we got into patterns and black belts took groups of the coloured belts to help us out.
Myself and my fellow Blue belt were taken by 1st Degree Scott and we went through our pattern Choong Gun.
The other blue belt with me hadn't learn't the pattern yet, so Scott focused more on helping her out and I myself slowly went through Choong Gun, over and over, fixing my stances and height of my techniques, with Scott offering tips along the way.

Before the end of the lesson when we were lined  up, my Instructor was addressing the younger students reminding them to try their hardest in class.
Randomly he then pointed to me and said " Kegan, (my nickname), comes to class early EVERY lesson...and practices BEFORE class. Then in our lesson, she tries really hard. Would you all like to be a good student like her?" "YEEEEESSSSSSS" they all said.
Here I am, being all red-faced and embarrassed with all these eyes on me.
It was a nice feeling, but I still don't believe I deserve such targeted praise. I think everyone else tries really hard too, it isn't just me. Regardless, I am still grateful and humbled.

Moving on, in senior class we continued through patterns, but started from White belt, moving up. I really love doing this and when I practice at home it's what I like to do to remind myself of ALL the patterns.


WEDNESDAY-

We had a REALLY small class Wednesday night, I'm talking maybe 15 people so we had a short warm up and went through some leg exercises to help us with our kicking technique. For example, we bought our legs right up high and kept our feet close to our butts. I think it was more for the juniors to understand what to do with their legs when they kick because a lot of them have trouble understanding the concept.
Then we went through a kicking circuit with, guess what?...... PADS! YAY! It was so fun, each of the Instructors held a pad and we had to do a different kick for each one. Including, Side Thrusting kick, Back kick, Flying side kick and Flying front kick. I was feeling really good and felt I had some good power.
As well as this I am starting to understand the concept of the flying side kick, which I have been having some trouble with. 

For senior class we did some sparring in a rotation. When I ended up with my Instructor, I was going pretty well blocking his crazy fast techniques when BOOM! A nice turning kick struck me in the head. The room span and YEP it hurt. My ear was ringing really loud and I though for sure I was going to cry HA!
But I held those silly tears back, laughed it off and kept going. THEN! With my next partner, she landed a solid (actually REALLY good) side kick to my stomach, luckily I always breathe out when my opponent strikes just in case something like that happens, so, it didn't hurt a bit, but I felt how good the kick was for sure!
FUN senior class, I ended up with a few bruises but it was really fun.

-

So yes! That has been my week.
I have recently been feeling really "apart of the family", there's always this friendly vibe and I just look forward to coming to class.
It makes me a little sad because I will shortly be moving to the Gold Coast and will have to make friends all over again in a new Dojang.
Hopefully I'll be able to return to Cairns for a training visit or even to take my Black Belt test. TIME WILL TELL!

Until next time ya'll, thanks again for reading.

Kirstine Powhiro
4th Grade (Blue Belt)
Rhee Tae Kwon Do